Tanzania aims for first-ever AFCON victory as Taifa Stars prepare to face Nigeria in Group C opener at 2025 tournament

Miguel Gamondi, head coach of Tanzania, has expressed confidence that the Taifa Stars could end their long wait for a maiden Africa Cup of Nations victory when they face Nigeria at the 2025 tournament in Morocco on Tuesday.

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Tanzania has featured at three editions of the AFCON—1980, 2019 and 2023—playing nine matches without a win. Their Group C opener against the Super Eagles will mark their 10th AFCON game as they continue the search for a historic breakthrough.

The clash at the Complexe Sportif de Fès will be only the second AFCON meeting between Nigeria and Tanzania, coming 45 years after their first encounter.

In 1980, the Super Eagles defeated the Taifa Stars 3–1 in the opening match of the tournament. During qualification for the 2017 AFCON, the teams drew 0–0 in Dar es Salaam, with Nigeria narrowly winning the return fixture 1–0 in Uyo.

“It’s our dream, and nobody can stop us from believing and dreaming,” Gamondi said at a pre-match press conference.

“If you don’t have a dream, it doesn’t make sense to sleep too much. I respect Nigeria a lot, but in football anything is possible. We are here to make a good performance.”

The Argentine coach acknowledged Nigeria’s superior pedigree but insisted his side were not resigned to defeat. “I’m very realistic about the possibilities. Maybe Nigeria have 99 per cent, but you never know.

I am confident we can do something. If we do what we need to do and are able to win, beating Nigeria would feel like winning the AFCON for us, especially at the start of the tournament.”

After Tuesday’s opener, Tanzania will face Uganda in their second Group C match on Friday before concluding the group stage against Tunisia the following Tuesday.

Tanzania made its AFCON debut in 1980 on Nigerian soil, losing all three group matches, including defeats to Egypt and Ivory Coast.

In 2019, under former Super Eagles winger Emmanuel Amuneke, they returned after a 39-year absence but again exited without a win.

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The 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast saw signs of progress, with the Taifa Stars drawing against Zambia and DR Congo following an opening defeat to Morocco.